Field Yates’ final NFL Mock Draft includes 7 SEC players selected in first round
By Luke Greco
Published:
It’s finally the day of the 2026 NFL Draft, and before the festivities kick off later tonight, Field Yates of ESPN released his final mock draft in which he has 7 SEC players going in the first round, including Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson.
The first SEC player off the board, according to Yates, will be Georgia offensive tackle Monroe Freeling, who the Cleveland Browns select with pick 6. Freeling helps fill a hole in Cleveland and is the first offensive lineman taken in the 2026 NFL Draft.
LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane is the second SEC player selected in Yates’ mock draft. The Dallas Cowboys pick up Delane at pick 12 and draft the No. 1 cornerback, according to Yates.
Here’s a look at all the SEC selections Yates has projected in his final NFL Mock Draft:
- No. 6: Monroe Freeling, Georgia — Cleveland Browns
- No. 12: Mansoor Delane, LSU — Dallas Cowboys
- No. 17: Kadyn Proctor, Alabama — Detroit Lions
- No. 20: Keldric Faulk, Auburn — Dallas Cowboys (trade via Green Bay)
- No. 25: R Mason Thomas, Oklahoma — Chicago Bears
- No. 29: Colton Hood, Tennessee — Kansas City Chiefs (trade via Los Angeles Rams)
- No. 30: Ty Simpson, Alabama — Arizona Cardinals (via trade Miami Dolphins)
